Trematocara Explained

Trematocara is a genus of cichlids endemic to Lake Tanganyika in Africa. They are relatively small, up to 15cm (06inches) long, and slender in shape.^[1] These schooling, light-shy fish are typically found in relatively deep waters, but move closer to the surface at night to feed on plankton.^[1] They are mouthbrooders.^[1]

Species

There are currently nine recognized species in this genus:

• Trematocara caparti Poll, 1948
• Trematocara kufferathi Poll, 1948
• Trematocara macrostoma Poll, 1952
• Trematocara marginatum Boulenger, 1899
• Trematocara nigrifrons Boulenger, 1906
• Trematocara stigmaticum Poll, 1943
• Trematocara unimaculatum Boulenger, 1901
• Trematocara variabile Poll, 1952
• Trematocara zebra De Vos, Nshombo & Thys van den Audenaerde, 1996

Notes and References

1. Smith, M.P. (1998). Lake Tanganyikan Cichlids, p. 9.